Julphar Saudi Arabia, a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, officially opened at the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) on April 20.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by government representatives and officials from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The factory was inaugurated by Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Saudi minister of health, in the presence of dignitaries including the CEO of SFDA (Saudi Food & Drug Authority) Hisham Al-Jeddaei, Secretary-General of Economic Cities Authority Mohanud Abdul-Mohsin Helal, CEO of Emaar Economic City Fahd Al-Rasheed, CEO of Industrial Valley Rayan Qutub, and Chairman of Cigalah Group Sheikh Yasser Al-Naghi.
Julphar Saudi Arabia held a factory site tour, where media and guests had the opportunity to visit the facility and see its production process.
Julphar’s Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al-Qassimi, said: “I am grateful to all for their well-founded trust in Julphar and for attending the event. With the launch of Julphar Saudi Arabia, we are strengthening our commitment toward Julphar’s biggest market: Saudi Arabia, and its people.”
He added: “The medicines will be manufactured locally, which will help reduce the cost of production and ensure all our high-quality products are affordable to families in the Kingdom. The addition of the Julphar plant in Saudi Arabia also supports the company’s vision to expand its manufacturing presence in the region.”
Sheikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al-Qasimi, vice-chairman of the board said: “The plant will have the capacity to produce up to 1 billion tablets, 300 million capsules and 30 million bottles of syrups and suspensions per year.”
He added: “Julphar Saudi Arabia also complies with international Current Good Manufacturing Practice cGMP standards. It integrates quality into all stages of manufacturing and aims for continuous improvement, which is in line with the company’s objective to ensure our people’s safety by producing high-quality products through world-class facilities.”
Julphar Saudi Arabia is the result of the collaboration between MENA’s largest generic pharmaceutical company, Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, and its local partner Cigalah Group, a health care distributor in the Saudi market.
The construction of the said factory is estimated at around SR200 million, and is expected to employ a considerable number of Saudi talent with ongoing training and development.
Pharmaceutical factory Julphar inaugurated at KAEC
Pharmaceutical factory Julphar inaugurated at KAEC
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
